The Soviet Union collapsed more than 20 years ago, yet genuine democracy is still a stranger in most of the 15 former republics. Ukraine, where at least 25 people were killed on Tuesday, is just the latest bloody example.
From President Vladimir Putin's hardline rule in Russia to the 20-year reign of Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus to the assorted strongmen of Central Asia, many post-Soviet rulers consistently display a fondness for the old days when opposition was something to be squashed, not tolerated.
There are exceptions, but they're rare. The three tiny Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia stand out as countries that regularly hold fair elections, change leaders at the ballot box and have developed strong democratic institutions. They also belong to NATO.
Post-Soviet Leaders
Russia: Vladimir Putin has been president or prime minister since 1999. His current term runs through 2018.
Belarus: Alexander Lukashenko, president since 1994, is often called 'the last dictator in Europe.'
Kazakhstan: Nursultan Nazarbayev became the Kazakh president in 1990, the year before the Soviet breakup. Won the most recent election with 96 percent of the vote.
Azerbaijan: Ilham Aliyev, president since 2003, succeeded his father who ruled from 1993-2003.
Uzbekistan: Islam Karimov, president since 1990, won his most recent election with 91 percent of the vote.